The Richmond MBA and Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. Part II

Catch up with Part I of the story.

Drew Jackson, client delivery project manager for HDL, Inc., had just joined the organization a few weeks before Adam Hahn, GB ’13, completed his Capstone Project. “As quickly as our company is growing, we don’t always have the capacity to conduct in-depth research or explore new ventures,” Jackson said. “I recognized immediately the value Adam’s work and insight brought to HDL and wanted to continue our relationship with Richmond MBA students.”

Jackson reached out to Senior Associate Dean Richard Coughlan to discuss options. “I really appreciate the willingness and enthusiasm of The Richmond MBA students and staff to work together,” Jackson said. “It is a win-win situation; students get hands-on, practical experience in a working organization while we receive intelligent students to assist with strategic problems that require sophisticated analysis and insight.”

Faculty Research

At the same time Hahn was completing his Capstone Project with HDL, Inc., Associate Professor of Management Dr. Steve Thompson was also working with the organization. Having held previous careers in the health care industry, Thompson was approached by HDL, Inc. to conduct research on the value of the organization’s comprehensive care offerings. Working with six other HDL Inc. executives, their extensive research on the subject revealed health care cost reductions and improved health outcomes after two years by patients who utilized laboratory services provided by HDL, Inc.

“The organization has been an outstanding academic partner,” Thompson said. “They have provided our students with projects that have a real impact on their organization, allowing students to reinforce and put to the test the knowledge they have learned in the classroom.”

The final paper Thompson and the HDL, Inc. team wrote was published in the September 2013’s Population Health Management, a journal which includes research that provides strategies to improve health care systems, policies, quality and access.

Having been a student advisor of 25 Capstone Projects since joining The Richmond MBA in 2005, Thompson said he has been very impressed with the caliber of HDL, Inc.’s involvement with students and is pleased with his own experience with the organization. “They are very open and are eager to provide information to further their business. I look forward to continuing our relationship,” Thompson said.

Continued Involvement

Since Hahn completed his Capstone Project with HDL, Inc., Michael Gibson, GB ’14, has been hard at work with the organization on his own Capstone which will culminate in December which focuses on increasing HDL Inc.’s employer wellness offerings. "I am working on a real situation within the organization that requires a strategic decision in the near future, and my work will be a part of that decision making process," Gibson said. "My project sponsors at HDL have been extremely helpful and have done a fantastic job of setting up the scope of work for my project. I am very fortunate to be working with the organization; I am sure any student would have jumped at the chance."

“Mike has shown great promise and has done a good job of understanding our business and doing the right research to provide answers on which we can take action,” Jackson said.

Gibson’s work will not be the last interaction Richmond MBA students and faculty have with the organization as Dr. Thompson continues his research and the program looks at new ways to further the relationship with leading local companies such as HDL, Inc..